Economics, M.A.

Admission

Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions  section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, admission to the program will be based on the following:

1. a GPA of at least 3.0 in the following courses or their equivalents (corresponding CSUF courses are in parenthesis)- Business Calculus (MATH 135 ), Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 201 ), Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 202 ), Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON 310  or ECON 315 ), Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON 320 ), Probability and Statistics (ISDS 361A  or ECON 340 ), and one advanced undergraduate elective in economics;
2. for international students, a score of 570 on the TOEFL paper exam or 88 on the IBT is required; and
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, at least two confidential letters of recommendation, a résumé and a Statement of Purpose from the applicant sent directly to the Graduate Adviser in Economics. Persons who have known the candidate professionally should write the letters of recommendation. There are no forms. The letters should be written on official letterhead, and the letters should discuss both the strengths and the weaknesses of the applicant. The statement of purpose should not exceed 750 words.

An applicant who does not meet one or more of the requirements above (including international students who score between 550 and 570 on TOEFL), may still be considered for admission, depending on the evaluation of the entire application file (the students must, however, have a GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 semester units at the time of admission). If admitted, an applicant with one or more deficiencies may be asked to take specified deficiency courses and exams. Students admitted with deficiencies are called “conditionally classified” students. Conditionally classified students can take a limited number of courses at the graduate level, subject to the approval of the graduate adviser of the department. Students are expected to advance promptly to classified standing. Classified students are eligible to take graduate courses for which they are qualified.

Study Plan

Within one semester of admission, the students are advised to prepare a study plan. A study plan reflects a selection of approved courses that have been taken or will be taken by the student to earn the graduate degree.

Students are urged to meet as soon as possible with the graduate adviser in the Department of Economics to file a study plan and advance to classified standing.

Any study plan course in which a “C-” (1.7) or below is received must be repeated with at least a “C” (2.0), regardless of the overall grade-point average of the students. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for graduation. Students are also required to graduate in a timely manner.

Total (30-33 units)